SIGNED INTO LAW! SF 61 – Legislator per diem.
We Support This Bill.
Summary: AN ACT relating to per diem rates; increasing the statutory per diem rate for specified legislative activities; increasing per diem rates that are based upon the legislative rate; providing for adjustment of the per diem rate; providing applicability; providing appropriations; and providing for an effective date.
Why It Matters: One of the structural barriers to women's representation in elected positions is the low pay that legislators receive in Wyoming. Since the Wyoming Legislature is a citizen legislature, meaning that our legislators serve part-time, legislators do not get paid full salaries to serve as such. However, the Legislative Session, travel for interim session meetings, and dedication to their constituency takes legislators away from their other jobs and their children. Better pay is listed in our Wyoming Women in Elected Roles brief as a small piece of the puzzle to encourage women to run for office.